Anxiety. Now backlash against that judge. Nightly news begins right now. There is turmoil for republican lawmakers that could affect all of us before it is over. It has to deal with who will become the next second in line to president , the man many thought had been on track for the job shocked the political establishment when he bowed out of the race to become speaker of the house. The question mark over who succeeds current Speaker John Boehner raises the spector of a possible spending showdown and another government shutdown. National correspondent Peter Alexander is on the story for us tonight. Reporter it was a political bombshell just hours after Kevin Mccarthy made his final pitch to replace john boehner as house speaker. The California Republican stunned colleagues by pulling out of the race. We should put this conference first. I think there is something to be said for us to unite. We probably need a fresh face. Reporter under fierce opposition from Party Conservatives and criticism for his speaking skills. Today is the day that should really look to and the pressure mount to actually let the people have a say. Strong, englishlike words. Reporter mccarthy recognized he risked a humiliating defeat on the house floor later this month and admitted damaging his own candidacy with comments suggesting the House Benghazi Committee was politically motivated to hurt hillary clinton. What are her numbers today . Her numbers are dropping. That wasnt helpful. I could have said it much better. Reporter the same forces that propelled political outsiders including donald trump to the top of the gop president ial field are fueling the revolt among some republicans in congress. This week a conservative republican warned any candidate for leadership who committed misdeeds should withdraw from the race, but mccarthy dismissed that as his reason for exiting. No. Come on. Reporter the abrupt announcement threatens congress ability to meet a series of critical deadlines and a shutdown looming if a budget deal isnt struck. Democrats could barely stifle their glee. From the white house any news they would like to discuss . Reporter to capitol hill. You think its a mess. It is a mess. Reporter so now what . Boehner agreed to stay until election for his replacement is held. One potential speaker who republicans could rally around is paul ryan. Tonight nbc news confirms he is boehners top choice but aides to ryan insist he is not interested. Lester. Peter alexander, thank you. The rain has long passed but the people of South Carolina simply cant catch a break. There are new evacuations in place right now. All that water from days of epic rainfall is essentially racing out toward the sea leaving still more dams breached and many other threatened and coastal communities are about to bear the brunt of it. Gabe gutierrez is in South Carolina with late details. Reporter new evacuations tonight as flood fears mount along the carolina coast. Days after the historic rain, 70 dams are now in danger. So far 14 have breached. The water now flowing east. Residents in the Coastal Community of georgetown are bracing for a second round of flooding. When nature overwhelms you, doesnt matter how great you design it. Its going to fail. Reporter in South Carolina, about 1. 2 million gallons fell per person. These Railroad Tracks suspended in the air, the ground beneath them washed away. Devastation is just unbelievable. Reporter also hard to believe, the incredible stories of survival. I went down in the water. Reporter she and her grandson clung to a cross after her car skidded into a ditch near a church and waited five hours until rescuers pulled them to safety. Thank you so much for saving us. Reporter 27yearold amber lloyd fell into a drain pipe at the height of the storm. In the water i kept telling myself, amber fight. Reporter she wasnt breathing when three county detention officers pulled her out and performed cpr. She now gets to thank them with her daughter autumn. I never believed in angels. I absolutely believe them now. Reporter boil water advisories are in effect throughout the state. Volunteers swarm in. Its sad nobody has clean water. We have been through the first big wave. We are about to go through the second big wave. Reporter the governor is warning the flood waters could threaten several counties for up to 12 days. Here in columbia, a bit more rain is forecast into the weekend as a massive cleanup effort is under way. Throughout the state, more than 350 roads and bridges are shut down. Lester. Gabe gutierrez, thank you. Authorities in sacramento are hunting for the people involved in a violent confrontation with an American Hero in the streets. U. S. Airman Spencer Stone, one of the men hailed for stopping a terrorist attack with a gun aboard a highspeed train in france, saving dozens of lives was rushed into surgery today after a brawl caught on camera here at home. Reporter it started as an argument outside a bar in sacramento and quickly became a brawl. Surveillance video from a store across the street appears to show American Hero Spencer Stone fighting with more than one person. Two groups of people pushing, shoving and throwing punches before eventually scattering as the Police Cruiser arrives. Investigators say stone was stabbed multiple times in the upper body. This incident is a very unfortunate altercation between two groups of folks who are enjoying the night life in midtown sacramento. Reporter what a different scene than just a month ago when sacramento welcomed stone home as a hero, credited with helping thwart what might have been a massacre onboard a highspeed train headed to paris. The president of france awarded stone and his friends the countrys top medal the legion of honor, then an audience at the white house. Tonight in a sacramento hospital, stone is in stable condition after undergoing surgery. Childhood friend and fellow hero Alex Scarlatos tweeting, everybody send prayers to the stone family today. An American Hero who may have stopped a terror plot recovering from another knife wound this time in his home town. Jacob rascon, nbc news, los angeles. The war in syria has entered a dangerous new phase with russias military involvement and word today that some of the russian cruise missiles fired from hundreds of miles away veered off course landing far from their intended targets. Its the air space the russian missiles flew through that rattled the u. S. Commanders. The latest developments now from chief Foreign Correspondent richard engel. Reporter russias intervention into syria is escalating by the day. So are the risks, including confrontation with the u. S. Senior defense officials tell nbc news that four of the 26 cruise missiles russia fired at syria from the caspian sea yesterday landed short in iran. Russia and iran deny it. Apparently there were no casualties. But what really has u. S. Military officials worried is that washington wasnt informed before the launch. Even though the missiles traveled through air space where american aircraft are operating. Already at least two u. S. Planes had to be diverted to avoid confrontations with russian aircraft. There has been u. S. russian consultation, socalled deconflicting meetings, but they dont seem to be working. Whats worse, the russians secretly recorded the Video Conference and showed it on television. Washington is also fuming at russias choice of targets in syria, mostly antiassad rebels, some backed by the u. S. We have not and will not agree to cooperate with russia so long as they continue to pursue this misguided strategy. Reporter the problem is washington and moscow are fighting what are effectively two different wars, the u. S. Bombing to stop isis, Vladimir Putin bombing to keep assad in power, and because these wars overlap, a mistake could escalate quickly and badly. Syria has been an open wound more than four years and now bringing the u. S. And Russian Military dangerously close to each other, closer than in decades. Richard engel, thank you. A controversial remark online has media titan Rupert Murdoch under fire. The powerful man whose empire includes fox news fired off his thoughts on ben carson, president obama and what it means to be an African American commander in chief. Many took to be inflammatory comments on race. Hallie jackson has more. Reporter hes one of the worlds biggest media moguls who runs the show behind the scenes, but fox news owner Rupert Murdoch now finds himself in the headlines. Apologizing today after sending this tweet calling ben carson terrific, then adding what about a real black president who can properly address the racial divide . The backlash online over real black president immediate. The reason its a problem is there is no one way to be black. Theres no one singular authentic way to be black. Rupert murdoch, by pretending he knows the real way is doubling the offense. Now responding, the 84yearold says he finds both president obama and ben carson charming, tweeting he meant no offense. Carson didnt take any. I know Rupert Murdoch. Hes not a racist by any stretch of the imagination. Is president obama a real black president . Hes the president and black. The controversy highlighting what it means to be black in the white house. There is no question being a black candidate for the presidency brings an extra burden on you. It aint fair, but it is true. Reporter president obama has lately used his platform to push for more dialogue on race relations. Ben carson has a different message. I was asked by an npr reporter why dont i talk about race that often. I said its because im a neurosurgeon and its time for us to move beyond that. Reporter a message that seems to appeal to his supporters, propelling carson to frontrunner status, a headliner on murdochs media. Hallie jackson, nbc news. Action is being taken to bring a water emergency in flint, michigan, to an end. People havent been able to trust the water in their taps the better part of the year after the city made a change to save money but ended up contaminating part of the water supply with lead. Ron mott tells us more. Reporter liane says her 4yearold son suddenly stopped growing last year and weighs less than his twin garrett. She blames flints Drinking Water with officials who repeatedly claimed it was safe. Both my children have been exposed. The one with the compromised immune system has blood poisoning. Reporter his lead level tripled. Youve become a scientist living here. For months, she tested the familys water for any signs of chlorine to ward off harmful bacteria. Zero chlorine. What does that tell you . That my water is not safe, but i already knew that. Reporter what worries her most are elevated levels of lead have been flowing from her taps. After a flood of complaints from residents and businesses about Water Quality more than a year leading to protests, boil advisories and filter giveaways, authorities including michigans governor gave in announcing flint was returning to detroits supply. The realization of increased lead exposure and a rise in the number of children with elevated blood lead levels was devastating for our community. Reporter School Children will undergo a series of lead tests. Those with higher levels will get treatment. These water woes are the latest in a string of setbacks for a cashstrapped city all too familiar with them. A city whose fortunes sank with the down turn in the auto industry. A bid to save money has cost flint much more. Im all for whats doing in the best interest of our city. If youre going to do this, make sure its safe and they didnt. Reporter while the switch from the flint river back to detroit system is welcomed news indeed, residents must wait another two weeks before that hookup is completed. Ron mott, nbc news, flint, michigan. The army veteran hailed as a hero in the shooting rampage at an Oregon College is out of a hospital. He was shot seven times while trying to protect others from the gun fire. Community colleges held a moment of silence marking a week since the massacre. Tomorrow, president obama will travel to oregon to meet with victims families, gun right supporters plan to protest his visit. Still ahead, harsh words in the courtroom for a woman who says she is afraid to face her alleged abuser. The outrage at the judge who ordered her off to jail for it. The little boy who found an everyday superhero on his block. Now he gets to be the side kick. A florida judge is under fire after dramatic confrontation in Court Sentencing a Domestic Violence victim to jail because she didnt show up to face her alleged attacker. Its an emotional scene on camera, the woman pleading for the judge to understand, the judge having none of it. Stephanie gosk reports. Reporter in a florida courtroom earlier this year, a victim of Domestic Violence begged for leniency. Nbc news disguised her voice. I beg you please. Reporter she refused to testify against her husband who she alleged choked her and threatened her at knife point, according to a police report. The court was holding her in contempt. Why didnt you show up to court . You think you have anxiety now . You havent seen anxiety. Reporter judge Gerri Collins came down hard. Violated court order did not do anything for you. I find you in contempt of court and sentence you three days in the county jail. Reporter prosecutors struck a deal with the womans husband getting him to plead no contest to simple battery, with a 16day jail sentence. Without her testimony. The video of the hearing has spread online. Worrying advocates of Domestic Abuse victims. I understand that the state wants to take criminals and get them off the streets, but you dont do it by revictimizing a victim in this manner. Reporter a spokesperson says the judge cant comment on pending or impending cases, but the state Attorney Says victim testimony is key to successfully prosecuting such crime. Im begging you please. I already issued my order. Reporter many wonder why the judge was so tough on someone the court already knew was a victim. Stephanie gosk, nbc news, new york. Back in a moment with one of the most epic traffic jams weve ever seen caught on camera. It may make you appreciate your commute. There is sad news out of louisiana tonight. Legendary chef Paul Prudhomme has died. Started with his louisiana kitchen in new orleans, he popularized spicy Cajun Cuisine across america achieving International Fame on tv including a show on pbs and several bestselling cookbooks. He introduced the world to the turduken. He passed away after a brief undisclosed illness. He was 75 years old. If you just walked in the door after a brutal afternoon commute home, take comfort. It probably wasnt this bad. Epic traffic jam with thousands going nowhere fast on one of chinas busiest roadways. Scenes like this are not all that common in china. In this case it was a perfect storm. Holiday traffic combined with foggy weather and a new checkpoint that forces 50 lanes to merge into 20. The rock and roll hall of fame is about to get the new additions. We have the list of the finalists. Considered for induction. Among firsttime nominees, janet jackson, steve miller, chicago and the cars. Cheap trick, los lobos and chaka khan. Returning contenders include nine inch nails, the smiths, the spinners and yes. Those who make the cut will be announced in december. The unlikely postal duo whose friendship knows no age but does know zip codes. Take vo this man says a seed pod fell from a tree and cracked his skull. Why hes blaming the us park service. Jessica take vo plus cars and trucks colliding with trains. What caltrain is doing to try to prevent more crashes. Next close next. Finally tonight, a heartwarming story about two best buddies who neither snow nor rain nor age can separate. A postman and his side kick known for putting their own stamp on friendship. Heres kerry sanders. Reporter some kids dream of being spiderman or batman. But 4yearold carter admires a different superhero. Its time for mr. Mike. Reporter the mailman. I see him. Reporter every day right outside his window. Hes right there. Reporter postman mike. Nine years on the job but only one route like this. Hey, buddy. Reporter a most unusual friendship. Ready to help me . Im going to need a lot of help today. Okay. Reporter the cheerful mailman. What are you doing in the road . Hey. Reporter and his little buddy. Good work. Reporter the invisible mailman to most of us to your son is everything. Hes a hero. You are going to get fired, buddy. Whats fired mean . Reporter here getting bills has never been so much fun. Love you. Love you. I can reach this one. Reporter to carter, the entire postal system is just one man, mike. Good job. He sent a letter to one of his grandparents in texas and handed it to me one day. I said well get it there, buddy. He said ive got a long way to drive. You have a package. Reporter to explain how it works, the letter carriers in knoxville invited this pintsized postman to their sorting center. Whose house is this . Ours. Reporter a first class friendship. We deliver the mail. Reporter a forever stamp of approval signed, sealed, delivered. Kerry sanders, nbc news, knoxville. Who needs email with those two on the job . Love it. Thats going to do it for us on a thursday night. Im lester holt. For all of us at nbc news, thank you for watching and good night. Eye nbc bay area news starts now. Cannot take care of himself. He is now dependent on friends and family. One mans life forever changed because of something that fell from a free in a park. The fight hes now taking up to stop it from happening to anyone else. Good evening. Only on nbc bay area, a freak accident that caused permanent brain damage. A navy veteran says a 16pound seed pod fell from a tree and hit him on the head. Here is a picture now. The 50yearold vet and his injury. You can see his eye and head there. He says it happened during fleet week of last year. We are in San Francisco this evening. What exactly is a seed pod, and is there a risk now for other people . Reporter well, a seed pod is something that fell from a particular type of tree that isnt from this area. Yes, it is a concern to other people. Now that vet was here in maritime park. As you mentioned, he was here to watch the blue angels from that 16pound seed pod came crashing down. He says changing his life forever. It was during fleet week last year when he was knocked unconscious
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